Darius Rucker: Busted Hearts And Pickup Trucks

Darius Rucker's first country single didn't just reinvent his career; it also made him the first African-American singer to have a No. 1 country hit since Charley Pride did it a quarter-century earlier. Five more hits, a CMA award and two albums later, Rucker became the third African-American inducted into the Grand Ole Opry since its founding in 1925. On his latest album, True Believers, the Hootie and the Blowfish singer is firmly ensconced in his new genre, choosing a much-loved cover as the first single ("Wagon Wheel") and getting a vocal assist from the country megastars in Lady Antebellum.

One reason Rucker is enjoying so much commercial success in the latest chapter of his career is the same thing that made him famous in the first place — his remarkable voice. Rucker's ripe, easily recognizable baritone still sounds perfect on radio-ready hits, just as it did with his old band. Add just enough twang and the right subject matter — busted hearts and, yes, trucks, trains, Mama, getting drunk, et al. — and you've got a contemporary country-music star.

Sure, Rucker hits all the right notes and drops all the right references, but in country music, that's not enough. Many country fans want their entertainers to have a modicum of sincerity. Rucker is a rock star, but on his new album, you hear the guy who still lives in and still loves his home state of South Carolina, right down to its sweet tea and kudzu. It can be tough for artists to find an audience when they change genres, but Rucker does it seamlessly by returning to the music with which he grew up.

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Transcript

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

Darius Rucker found fame in the 1990s as lead singer of the band Hootie and the Blowfish.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU")

HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH: (Singing) There's nothing I can do. I only wanna be with you...

BLOCK: In 2008, Rucker switched gears and signed with a country music label. He recently released his third country album, titled "True Believers."

Meredith Ochs has this review.

MEREDITH OCHS, BYLINE: Darius Rucker's debut country single didn't just reinvent his career, it made him the first African-American singer to have a number 1 country hit since Charley Pride did it a quarter-century earlier. Five more hits, a CMA award and two albums later, Rucker became the third African-American inducted into the Grand Ole Opry since its founding in 1925.

On his latest CD, Rucker is firmly ensconced in his new genre, choosing a much-loved cover as the first single and getting a vocal assist from country megastars Lady Antebellum.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

DARIUS RUCKER: (Singing) Made it down the coast in 17 hours, picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers and I'm a hoping for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight. So rock me, mama, like a wagon wheel. Rock me, mama, anyway you feel. Hey, mama, rock me. Rock me, mama, like the wind and the rain. Rock me, mama, like a southbound train. Hey, mama, rock me.

OCHS: One reason Darius Rucker is enjoying so much commercial success in the latest chapter of his career is the same thing that made him famous in the first place, his remarkable voice. Rucker's ripe, easily recognizable baritone still sounds as perfect on radio-ready hits as it did with his old band. Add just enough twang and the right subject matter, busted hearts and, yes, trucks, trains, Mama, being drunk, et cetera, and you've got a contemporary country-music star.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

RUCKER: (Singing) How sweet was your kiss. I still taste it on my lips. I got lost in the rhythm of the waves of the ocean, lost in sunset, too. I got lost in your eyes and the time, don't you know it, baby, I got lost in you. Baby, I got lost in you.

Sure, Darius Rucker hits all the right notes and drops all the right references, but in country music, that's not enough. Many country fans want their entertainers to have a modicum of sincerity. Rucker is a rock star, but on his new CD, you hear the guy who still lives in and still loves his home state of South Carolina, right down to its sweet tea and kudzu.

OCHS: It can be tough for artists to find an audience when they change genres, but Rucker does it seamlessly by returning to the music he grew up with.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

RUCKER: (Singing) I need to sit on my old back porch till the world lets go of my arm. I've been away too long. Somebody take me home. Lord have mercy on a poor boy's soul, crank it up...